Abstract

Researching the equality implications of being a migrant in Britain is hampered by imprecise definitions of what a migrant is and by a lack of data on many equality groups (groups which share a common attribute in respect of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation, as defined by the Equality Act 2006). The literature and evidence on inequalities tends to be more abundant on gender and race but remains focused on ethnic minority categories rather than on migrants as such. While the foreign-born population in the UK has increased from four to six million over the last decade, people arrive via different routes and with varying intentions. Much recent debate on the benefits and pressures resulting from immigration has been provoked by the large numbers of arrivals from Eastern Europe since 2004, but they, like other migrants from the European Union (EU), have freedom of movement guaranteed by EU Directives. Although they have to register or obtain authorisation to work legally (and 766,000 had registered by the end of 2007), there are few
reliable statistics on their presence in specific areas or in the UK as a whole. Other migrants from outside the EU also come to the UK to work (about 200,000 in 2006)
or study (309,000 in 2006). A number of migrants, estimated at between 310,000 and 570,000, are believed to be living in the country without formal immigration authorisation. In 2007, the largest group of those born abroad was from India
(553,300), followed by those from Poland (423,300). There are significant differences in terms of gender and age between different national groups, comprising recent and
established migrants, and in their experiences of employment and access to services. This heterogeneity makes policymaking based on averages or an assumed homogeneity meaningless or even dangerous.

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